Frost Dates for West Frankfort, IL 62896
Last spring frost April 12 · First fall frost October 16 · 187 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 62896 has about 10,600 people.
Long season: 187 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 31–April 25 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans September 30–November 2 (33 days).
Frost probability for 62896
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 25 | April 12 | March 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 30 | October 16 | November 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BENTON 2 N (15.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 187-day season in West Frankfort
In West Frankfort (187 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 145 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 26. | Jun 16 |
| Pepper | Mar 1 | Apr 26–May 3 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 26. | Jun 21 |
| Lettuce | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 229 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 22. | Aug 14 |
| Cucumber | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Beans | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Peas | — | Feb 15–Apr 26 | 250 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 250 available after Feb 15. | Aug 5 |
| Zucchini | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Onion | Jan 18 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 222 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 15. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 15–Apr 5 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Kale | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 222 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 15. | Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 15. | Aug 14 |
| Radish | — | Feb 15–May 10 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Oct 23. | Sep 14 |
| Beets | — | Feb 15–May 10 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 16 | 292 | overwinter: Plant Oct 16 to Nov 6; harvest the following summer. | Nov 6 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 8–May 3 | 243 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 8; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 19. | Jun 28 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 29 | Apr 26–Apr 26 | 152 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 26. | Jun 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 5. | Jul 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Mar 29 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 15–May 10 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 236 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 15. | Jul 15 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 152 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 26. | Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 145 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 26. | Jun 26 |
| Okra | Mar 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Basil | Mar 8 | May 3–May 3 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 15–Apr 5 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Parsley | Feb 1 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 19. | Jul 31 |
| Celery | Feb 1 | Apr 19–May 3 | 187 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 19. | Jun 11 |
| Scallions | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 15 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Collards | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 145 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 26. | Jun 11 |
| Chives | Jan 18 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 15–May 10 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Oregano | Feb 1 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 18 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Sage | Feb 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 1 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Cosmos | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Lavender | Jan 18 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Melons | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 145 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 26. | Jun 11 |
| Mint | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 166 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 19. | Jul 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 152 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 26. | Jun 13 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 12. | Jul 10 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 19. | Jun 21 |
| Watermelon | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 19. | Jun 16 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Zinnias | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
Month by month in West Frankfort
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 18), Lavender (Jan 18), Onion (Jan 18), Rosemary (Jan 18). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 1), Collards (Feb 1), Kale (Feb 1), Oregano (Feb 1), Parsley (Feb 1), Scallions (Feb 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 15), Beets (Feb 15), Dill (Feb 15), Peas (Feb 15), Radish (Feb 15), Spinach (Feb 15). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 1), Cauliflower (Mar 1), Marigolds (Mar 1), Pepper (Mar 1), Basil (Mar 8), Tomato (Mar 8), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 1), Cilantro (Mar 15), Turnip (Mar 15), Carrots (Mar 22), Potatoes (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 15), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 15), Cabbage (Mar 15), Collards (Mar 15), Kale (Mar 15), Lettuce (Mar 15), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 8). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 12), Beans (Apr 19), Pole Beans (Apr 19). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 5), Cauliflower (Apr 5), Cosmos (Apr 12), Lavender (Apr 12), Marigolds (Apr 12), Mint (Apr 12), +24 more. Last frost around April 12. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 3). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 3), Pumpkin (Jun 3), Cantaloupe (Jun 11), Celery (Jun 11), Melons (Jun 11), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 13), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 10), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 15), Pole Beans (Jul 15), Basil (Jul 20), Cosmos (Jul 20), Cucumber (Jul 20), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 5), Cabbage (Aug 14), Carrots (Aug 14), Beets (Aug 15), Dill (Aug 15), Swiss Chard (Aug 15), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 3), Arugula (Sep 13), Spinach (Sep 13), Radish (Sep 14). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 16). First frost around October 16. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 6). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for West Frankfort, IL (ZIP 62896)?
The median last spring frost date for West Frankfort, IL (ZIP code 62896) is around April 12. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 31; one in ten it runs past April 25.
What is the first fall frost date in West Frankfort, IL?
The median first fall frost date for West Frankfort, IL is around October 16. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 30 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in West Frankfort, IL?
The frost-free growing season in West Frankfort is about 187 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In West Frankfort (187 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is West Frankfort, IL?
West Frankfort, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in West Frankfort, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 8 and plant out Apr 26 in West Frankfort. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in West Frankfort?
Two: plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23.
When do I plant garlic in West Frankfort?
Oct 16 to Nov 6; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in West Frankfort?
Yes: plant out Apr 26 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 16 for a fall crop.
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